Chauncey Billups, the 2004 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player and former Detroit Pistons star, told Yahoo Sports on Tuesday he is retiring after 17 NBA seasons.

The five-time All-Star had interest in playing with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers after a workout this offseason and said he had "a couple of opportunities to play" if he wanted to continue.

"It’s just time. I know when it’s time," Billups told Yahoo Sports. "My mind and my desire is still strong. I just can’t ignore the fact that I haven’t been healthy for three years. I can try again and get to a point where I think I can go, but I just can’t sustain. Me not being able to play the way that I can play, that’s when you kind of know it’s that time.

"It’s just time. I’m happy, excited. The game was very, very good to me. I felt like I was equally as good to the game the way I played it and the way I respected it and the way I carried myself through the process."

Billups was drafted No. 3 in the 1997 draft by the Celtics, who gave up on him during his rookie year. Boston traded him to the Raptors, and that led to other brief stints with the Nuggets and Magic.

Finally, in Minnesota, Billups had a chance to show his promise when Terrell Brandon got hurt. The Pistons gave him a sizable contract in free agency, and Billups reached an All-Star level in Detroit, even winning Finals MVP in 2004.

Though he thought he finally found a home after a career as an NBA journeyman, Billups was traded to the Nuggets. This time, Billups actually was home. The Denver native excelled in his second stint with his hometown team, leading the Nuggets to matching their-best ever finish, a trip to the conference finals.

But again, he was traded, getting sent to the Knicks in the Carmelo Anthony deal. By then, Billups’ best days were behind him. He hopped to the Clippers and then back to the Pistons for his final seasons.

Through it all, Billups became one of the best point guards of his generation. I try to avoid predicting who will make the Basketball Hall of Fame, which has an awkward and illogical selection process, but Billups is definitely a candidate.

He established himself as a team leader and class act, a reputation that will carry him into retirement. Whatever Billups decides to do next, his future is bright.

When last we saw Chauncey Billups, the veteran point guard was playing sparingly for the Detroit Pistons last season. Which is what he did for the Clippers for a couple seasons before that. In Los Angeles he was sort of an additional assistant coach, someone who could guide a then growing Clippers team into playing the right way.

But on the court he’s never been the same since blowing out his Achilles tendon. Billups worked hard to get back on the court, but he lost some explosiveness and could only make up for so much of that with his hoops IQ.

Cleveland might be able to use a guy to play a few minutes and be provide a lot of veteran stability in the locker room, and they might pick up Billups reports Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report.

Keep hearing Chauncey Billups is a serious candidate for Cleveland. He's been close for years with Tyronn Lue. CB has options in media, too.

Honestly, the media makes more sense to me — he’s be a fantastic analyst. But based on what I’ve seen and the ball handlers in Cleveland, he’d be an assistant coach by any other name. Billups is a legend of the game — a seven-time All-Star, a Finals MVP, a 17-year-veteran — but father time always wins the race.

Consider this something to watch. Billups may not be ready to walk away.

Chauncey Billups managed to get on the court for just 19 games with the Pistons last season, and after undergoing knee surgery that came with an uncertain future, the team declined his player option for next season, making him an unrestricted free agent.

But it isn’t yet known if Billups will pursue a spot on a roster, or in a team’s front office.

He’s reportedly considering both options, and is feeling well enough physically where playing might make sense in the right situation. And while it’s unclear which direction he’s headed, Billups is meeting with teams to explore the possibilities.

Could Chauncey Billups be the next veteran to join the Cleveland Cavaliers? Multiple sources tell WFNY that Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star, spent Tuesday in Cleveland with Cavs head assistant coach Tyronn Lue, ultimately finishing up his trip with a Warehouse District dinner meeting alongside Lue, Cavs general manager David Griffin, head coach David Blatt. This, of course, comes one day after the Cavs contingent met with free agent small forward Shawn Marion.

The nature of any discussions with the Cavs are unclear, but it is believed that Billups, who will be 38 years old by the time the 2014-15 season tips off, is interested in eventually moving into a coaching or executive role once he officially retires. Retiring is the operative word, however, as the 2004 NBA Finals MVP was believed to be in search of another contract as recent as early July, working out in Las Vegas and reportedly looking good despite his age and recent run of injuries.

“Obviously, I have several options; I have some front office opportunities, some coaching opportunities, some media opportunities and also some playing opportunities,” Billups told Basketball Insiders. “There’s a lot going on right now.”

Billups said in that interview that he doesn’t want to play just to play, that being a part of a team that has a chance to win a title is what would motivate him to return to the court. He has also met with the Denver front office this summer to similarly explore what might be next.

The Pistons traded him for Allen Iverson in 2008, quickly sinking themselves from title contention. Though the deal had merit at the time, hindsight says Detroit absolutely should have kept Billups and co. together and let the championship core age and decline naturally.

After resurging with his hometown Nuggets and then bouncing to the Knicks and Clippers, Billups signed with the Pistons last summer. The two-year deal contained a $2.5 million team option that became a no-brainer to decline by today’s deadline.

I’d like to think the Pistons waited until so late in the day to announce it so Billups would remain on team just a little longer. But they couldn’t delay forever.

Billups missed 169 games the last three years. There was no way the Pistons could justify keeping him at $2.5 million.

Brandon Jennings, flaws and all, is substantially better. Will Bynum is an OK enough backup. Even Peyton Siva contributes more now.

Billups can’t even get on the court. There’s no room for him as Detroit’s fourth point guard.

This is quite possibly the end of Billups’ playing career, but he could remain in basketball after retirement.

Billups is bright and balances keeping a level head with with an intense competitiveness. Everyone agrees he’d make a good coach. He doesn’t want to pursue that path, though. He wants a front-office job.

He returned to Detroit to retire and move into management, but the man who signed him, Joe Dumars, is no longer in power.

Is there room for Billups in Stan Van Gundy’s organization?

If there is, I bet Billups would be interested. If Dumars lands a new job elsewhere, Billups could fit there, too.

He’s played for eight teams – the Celtics, Raptors, Nuggets (twice), Magic, Timberwolves, Pistons (twice), Knicks and Clippers. He certainly has connections around the league.

If Billups really wants to keep playing, I bet he could get a veteran-minimum deal somewhere next season. At worst, he’s a great locker-room presence. Someone would value that and hope Billups can make a few spot-up 3-pointers.

But even that leadership role carries less weight when he can’t get on the court. This is probably the end of the line for the 37-year-old Billups.

As a player and executive, Billups is heading into free agency. That could be either very sad or very exciting, depending on which way Billups wants to go.